Oppenhagen Column: An underwhelming election season

Time is passing by much too quickly these days. The end of the first quarter of school is in two weeks (a quick eight weeks instead of nine); the end of the Redskins football season is, for all intents and
purposes, over now; the end of fall is here (and the “s” word has been heard in national weather forecasts; and the end of this year’s election cycle is in two-and-a-half weeks.

I’m fairly disappointed by this year’s elections. Perhaps it is that let-down feeling you get after something you’ve been waiting for a long time finally arrives. I’ve had that feeling a bit ever since Obama’s
election. But this year’s group of candidates just hasn’t impressed me much at all. In fact, and I hate to admit this, I’m not even really sure who is running for attorney general or lieutenant governor
(although I will investigate this weekend). I’ve been polled by the Anderson campaign and have been receiving fliers, but I still do not have a sense of who he is and what he wants to accomplish. I know
that Paul Nichols wants to stop HOT lanes (which I support), but I’m not really sure what he’s done this year.

And then there is the governor’s race. I am so unexcited by this one that I am almost apathetic. Almost.

I’ve met Creigh Deeds. He impressed me many years ago when I was running for the House of Delegates. He came all the way up here to attend a fundraiser for my campaign. I was impressed by that
support but also by his voting record and positions on many issues. But John Edwards (the Virginia John Edwards, not the North Carolina two-timing John Edwards) also supported me and kept in touch
through all the years. I wasn’t sure which candidate I wanted more, so I cast a vote and then let the electorate at large decide.

I was excited by Deeds’ win. As most of you know, I am a diehard Cubs fan, which means I’ll root for the underdog almost any day. But when I thought I recognized the campaign manager as someone I
had dealt with during my brief political career, I became wary. (It is an unfortunate personal trait of mine that I hold long personal grudges). And the Deeds campaign hasn’t really reached out to me as a
voter. Sure, I’ve gotten a few of the automated calls, but I expect more of politicians in this post-Obama age. And yes, Deeds was at the famous Dale City 4th of July parade. But at the post-parade
festival, Deeds visited a booth that was manned by my husband and his organization. My husband tried to remind Deeds of their previous encounter, but he felt that Deeds just really wanted to stay on
message.

On the other hand, there is Bob McDonnell. Now, I would consider myself a moderate kind of voter. And, as is my right, I have been known to cross party lines to vote for someone I believe in. But Bob
McDonnell is not that man. I know there’s still lingering controversy over the inclusion of his thesis into the campaign. But even before I knew of the thesis, I knew of McDonnell’s voting record. He was,
back in the day, a social policy twin of local Delegate Bob Marshall. I vowed then I would never vote for him, and as I mentioned earlier, I have a long memory.

I understand that people change their views over time. It’s natural that as you live life and have experiences, that these mold the person you are. So, for all I know, Bob McDonnell could have changed his
position. Having raised daughters, he could very well have decided that women have the ability to work outside the home, plan for their families and be independent. But that is not what I am hearing from
his campaign.

Instead, I hear them say the thesis was unimportant or old. What I have not heard is Bob McDonnell saying directly that he has changed. If he has changed the views in his thesis, then say so. Tell me
that you have changed, that you now believe women should be able to work, etc. Put that on the record. Because I fear that McDonnell is trying to have his literal cake and eat it, too. I am afraid that he is
crossing his fingers behind his back as he says the thesis doesn’t really reflect his views. That he is trying to coddle the moderates who may vote for him while trying to wink at the conservatives who
have traditionally formed his base of support. I am suspicious.

Yes, I know that there are some politicians who will say anything to get elected (or avoid any controversy to do the same). But this year, I want and need someone I can trust. When that person tells me
he has to cut essential and important programs, I want to know that every other effort has been made to prevent those cuts. And this year, there will be budget cuts. Not just at the state level but at the
local level as well. I’m willing to follow you if I can trust that you will do what is right for the state, not just for your friends; if I can trust that you will do what you say and not give excuses once elected; if I
can trust.

There are under three weeks left. What do you say?

Denise Oppenhagen is a longtime resident of Prince William County and can be reached at DenOp1@comcast.net.